Which Chicago anchorman is Roger Ebert referring to?

Factual Questions
1

In Roger Ebert’s review of the new movie Anchorman – The Legend of Ron Burgundy, he writes: “There are viewers in every city who will think they know who this character is based on. Certainly anyone who was around Chicago TV news in the 1970s will instantly think of one name… I have known and worked with a lot of anchorpersons…over the years, and I can tell you that almost all of them are good people – smart professionals who don’t take themselves too seriously. But every once in a while you get a Ron Burgundy, and you kind of treasure him, because you can dine out on the stories for years.”

I grew up in the Chicago area in the 1970s, but I didn’t really watch TV news until later. Anyone have a clue to whom Ebert might be referring?

2

I don’t know, myself.

I do know, however, that if you’re talking about a hard-drinking, pretty-boy, '70’s Pittsburgh anchorman, you’re talking about Don Cannon.

And he’s still around.

3

The Chicago Tribune says that WFLD’s Walter Jacobsen is the local version.

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